7/28/2019 Bluegreens Newsletter Apr 2013

1/4

New Zealands environment and our natural heritage hold the key to our nations uture prosperity. As Bluegreens,

an environmentally conscious group, we believe there is a need to keep reminding everyone that sustainable

development is the way to prosperity. We are committed to getting it right and invite you to join us by passing on

this newsletter.

Hello Everyone

The last ew months have been a busy time or Bluegreens and the numerous groups and projects we have been

involved with. The highlight was the Bluegreen Forum, in early March held at Tatum park near Levin. Over 100

people spent the day considering environmental issues and ollowed that with a eld trip to pest-ree Kapiti Island.

At the Forum, Minster o Environment Hon Amy Adams announced the governments proposed plan o action

based on the recommendations o the Land and Water Forum - to improve water quality and the way reshwater is

managed. Read More

She also launched a discussion document ocusing on strengthening the Resource Management Act, and providing a

ramework to improve water quality and reshwater management. Read More

The Minister o Conservation, Hon Nick Smith announced the approval o 5 new Marine Reserves on the West

Coast. The Kahurangi, Punakaiki, Okarito, Tauparikaka and Hautai marine reserves cover 17, 500 hectares o

magnicent South Island Coastline. Read More

There was lively discussion around the positive outcomes or the environment, recreational activity and regional

economic development o the Cycle trails around the country a real Bluegreen story better or the environment

and better or the economy. Read More

Also, a ascinating look at the concept o a Pest-Free New Zealand an idea that was included in our Bluegreen

Vision in 2011 and that is gaining support and momentum across the country. Read More

Overall, it was an excellent orum, lots o discussion, new thinking and planning or action to improve theenvironment, and New Zealanders opportunity to enjoy our special places. Youre invited to join us next year. .. Ill

keep in touch.

Nicky Wagner

Chair, Bluegreen Caucus Committee

BluegreensBetter for the environment, bet ter for the economy.

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-releases-freshwater-proposalshttp://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/rma-discussion-document-launchedhttp://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/five-new-west-coast-marine-reserves-approvedhttp://www.tourism.net.nz/cycling-in-new-zealand/great-rides-cycleways.htmlhttp://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/capital-life/8461303/Can-New-Zealand-really-be-pest-freehttp://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/capital-life/8461303/Can-New-Zealand-really-be-pest-freehttp://www.tourism.net.nz/cycling-in-new-zealand/great-rides-cycleways.htmlhttp://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/five-new-west-coast-marine-reserves-approvedhttp://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/rma-discussion-document-launchedhttp://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-releases-freshwater-proposals

7/28/2019 Bluegreens Newsletter Apr 2013

2/4

Godley Head track back up andrunning

Christchurchs popular Godley Head coastal track was ormally

re-opened on Sunday 3 March 2013 by Minister o Conservation

Dr Nick Smith, as part o Seaweek celebrations.

Godley Head took a hammering in the earthquakes, with clis

collapsing and extensive boulder alls. The track had to be closed

as it was dangerous and impassable.

The Department o Conservation (DOC) invested $480,000

in this rebuild with 450 tonnes o shingle fown to the site by

helicopter. The track largely ollows the original line except or the

section where clis collapsed between Boulder Bay and the Taylor

Battery site.

Ng Harenga Cycle Network

There was excitement in the Pureora Forest over Easter as the

latest completed trail in the Nga Haerenga cycle network was

opened to the public.

Along with Dr Hon Nick Smith, Olympic gold medallist Sarah

Ulmer, local Iwi representatives and dozens o eager cyclists, MP

or Taupo Louise Upston attended the ocial opening o the

Pureora Timber Trail on Saturday March 30.

It is so exciting that we have a recreational asset such as this right

on our doorstep that is not only o national signicance, but also

o international signicance, Louise said.

Those venturing onto this trail will travel through ancient rain

orests and across the ancestral homelands o several Central

North Island hap. Travellers will cross New Zealands longest

The re-opened track is wider, less steep and the stair section redesigned to make it more convenient. The track is better and saer,

a story that will be repeated many times over with the rebuild o Christchurchs acilities.

The Government is totally committed to Christchurchs ull recovery and this is another small step on this hard journey.

Hon Dr Nick Smith and Nicky Wagner at the

re-opening of the Godley Head Track.

Opening of the Ng Harenga Cycle track with Sarah Ulmer

cycle trail suspension bridge over the Maungatukutuku Stream, pass by spectacular rock ormations and travel deep into extensive

native bush.

The Government contributed around $5.5 million to construct the Pureroa Timber Trail. O that amount $2.1 million has come rom

the New Zealand Cycle Trail and the remainder has come through the Department o Conservation (DOC).

7/28/2019 Bluegreens Newsletter Apr 2013

3/4

MP Negotiates Freshwater Agreement

Across Rotorua we are star ting to see real progress both in policy and in the improving quality o all our lakes, in particular Lake

Rotorua. In February Rotorua armers and regional council joined with me to reach a milestone agreement which signals a major

turning point in the clean-up o the lake.

The Lake Rotorua Primary Producers Collective, Federated Farmers and Bay o Plenty Regional Council signed the Oturoa

Agreement - a Memorandum o Understanding agreeing on a way orward to reduce nutrients entering Lake Rotorua while

recognising the importance o arming to the local economy. The Collective is made up o dairy armers , drys tock armers and Te

Arawa landowners within Lake Rotoruas catchment.

The Memorandum sets out the principles and processes to meet nutrient reduction targets. Farmers and the Regional Council will

cooperate and collaborate to achieve the sustainable nitrogen load by 2032, with 70 percent o the nitrogen reduction target or the

catchment achieved by 2022.

44 Hihi birds released

Last month the Busy Park Trust released 44 Hihi (Stitchbird) into

their reser ve just west o Whanganui City.

The project has been a long time in gestation and is another in a

growing list o releases since 1999 when Minister o Conservation

agreed to Busy Park being granted status to home threatened

species.

Project Convenor, Allan Anderson, has advised The birds

have settled in well and not one has let the park against all

predictions o the naysayers. Most have made their home in a

deep and densely orested gully at the back o the Park, even to

the extent o establishing their own territor ies. In the meantime

they are easting on Marie berries and nectar rom the Rata vines

which are in ull bloom.

Allan led a project to ully enclose the 400 hectare native reserve

about ten year ago and the Park is a wonderul example o local

and national eorts to preserve threatened natural species.

It is well worth a visit next time you are in or around Whanganui.

Male and Female Hihi Bi rd

Todd McClay MP with (from left) BOP Regional Council

chief executive Mary-Anne Macleod, Federated Farmers

president Bruce Wills, Lake Rotorua Primary Producers

Collective chair Tanira Kingi and Lakes Water Quality

Society member Ian McLean following the signing of t he

Oturoa Agreement.

I expect this agreement will be the rst o many as

the Government continues to ocus on get ting ourwaterways back to clean health. I you would like

more inormation on the Oturoa agreement visit

my website http:/ /www.toddmcclay.co.nz.

7/28/2019 Bluegreens Newsletter Apr 2013

4/4

www.national.org.nz

CONTACT BLUEGREENS

FREEPOST: Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand | DDI: +64 4 817 6633

email: nicky.wagner@parliament.govt.nz | www.bluegreens.co.nz | facebook.com/Bluegreens

Funded by the Parliamentary Service and author ised by Nicky Wagner MP, 103 Salisbury Street , Christchurch

Proposed RMA changes

Environment Minister Amy Adams has spent the last two weeks travelling round the country holding a series o meetings with

councils, iwi, environment groups, businesses and the public to discuss proposed changes to the resource management system.

The Government has announced proposals aimed at strengthening the Resource Management Act (RMA), and improving water

quality and the way reshwater is managed.

Proposed changes to the RMA would make the system easier to use, increase certainty and predictability, attract investment, reduce

unnecessary duplication and cost, whilst continuing to protect the environment.

The reshwater proposals outline a plan o action or the most comprehensive and positive reorm o New Zealands reshwater

management system or a generation. The proposals are consistent with and based on the Land and Water Forums recommended

approach and gives eect to their core recommendations.

The meetings were a good opportunity or people to hear the reorms explained in greater detail, and to ask questions.

It was also very useul or me to get eedback rom the various communities and groups. In particular, the concept o a single plan

or councils seems to be almost universally acknowledged as a good idea, while in the water space, the Governments proposal to

introduce a National Objectives Framework, which includes national bottom lines or all waterways, has been well received.

Amy Adams speaking on RMA changes

As Bluegreens caucus members, we are committed to exploring environmental policy in areas such as biosecurity, conservation

and outdoor recreation. We believe environmental issues are too important to be let to the ringe o politics and should be a

mainstream issue or all New Zealanders. New Zealands environment and our national heritage hold the key to our nations utureprosperity and we believe there is a need or an independent group o environmentally conscious people to keep reminding everyone

that sustainable development is the way to prosper ity. Its great to know that the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shel

(Environment Eects) Bill has passed. New Zealanders love the sea and we have one o the largest and most diverse Extended

Economic Zones in the world. Weve been talking about protecting it or years and now nally we have a legislative ramework that

will do just that.